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EMPLOYMENT-BASED GREEN CARD TIMELINE

It typically takes at least a couple of years for a foreign worker to obtain a Green Card. In most cases the foreign worker does not have to wait for the Green Card before starting his job.

Benefits of Concurrent Filing (In case Beneficiary in U.S.): Filing an I-140 and I-485 Concurrently To Speed Up The Green Card Process When you file the I-485 application, you are also eligible to file for an employment authorization document (EAD) and for travel authorization (advance parole).

Employment-based Green Card Steps Overview

1. Determine if you are eligible to apply for a Green Card

U.S. immigration laws provide a variety of ways for people to apply for a Green Card. The eligibility requirements for adjustment of status may vary depending on the immigrant category you are applying under. The first step in the adjustment of status process is to determine if you fit into a specific immigrant category.

2. PERM Labor Certification

This stage during Green Card process for an EB2 and EB3 will be to obtain the PERM or Labor Certification.

If you are in the special category EB-1 or EB-2 NIW the PERM Labor Certification is not required.

3. Filling I-140 Immigration Application

Once you have the approval of the PERM labor certification, you will be able to file the I-140 application. Once the USCIS receives the petition, that date will be your priority date. The I-140 typically takes an average of six months to process, though this can be expedited through premium processing.

EB-1 EB-2 and EB-3 allow you to file your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status at the same time the Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker is pending. This is called “concurrent filing.” For more information on concurrent filing, see our Concurrent Filing page.

4. Check visa availability (if applicable)

You must wait until your priority date is current with the final action dates posted by the Department of Homeland Security. Dependent on which preference level you qualify for and which country you hold citizenship.

Some preference levels have no wait time while others have a wait time of several years. For information on visa availability, see the Visa Availability and Priority Dates page, the Adjustment of Status Filing Charts, and the Department of State website to view the Visa Bulletin.

5. Adjustment of Status I-485

Once your priority date is current, you can file for an Adjustment of Status by submitting an I-485 form. The I-485 processing time varies depending on which service center. On average, this step can take between 4-8 months.

6. Go to your Application Support Center appointment

After your I-485 is approved, the USCIS will issue you an employment-based green card. USCIS will mail you a notice for your biometrics services appointment at a local Application Support Center (ASC) to provide your fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature. The notice will include the date, time, and location of the appointment.

7. Receive Your Green Card

You will receive your Green Card in the mail after you arrive in the United States. If you do not receive your Green Card within 45 days of your arrival, please call our USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 or make an InfoPass appointment to visit your local USCIS field office.

APPLICATION REVIEW

Check your Eligibility, Register, Begin your Forms, Sign & Pay when you’re Ready.

Our innovative online system allows you to figure out exactly which case or immigration benefit you

are likely eligible for, just by answering a few simple questions. After that, our system will allow you to register in our online client portal for free; with the assigned case you’re likely eligible for. You’ll be able to begin working on your case for free, by filling out our easy to understand forms (that become official USCIS forms) automatically, with our software. If you like our system and want to retain us for our Attorney Application Review service, you will be able to sign our representation agreement electronically and make your first payment.

Schedule and have your Initial Consultation with your Attorney

After you have made the minimum payment, you will be prompted to schedule your initial

consultation with your attorney. Your attorney will then contact you on the date and at the time you select. During the Consultation, your attorney will verify that you are indeed eligible for the case our software assigned, and that it is the best option for you. They will then instruct you on how to properly continue to fill out your assigned Immigration Forms, and about any required or recommended supporting documentation for your case type. Your attorney will also seek to address any questions or concerns you may have, about your individual process and petition

Finish completing your Forms, your Attorney Checks your Petition, and you Submit

You will use our innovative software system to continue to fill out the necessary forms for

your case, and any supporting documentation. Then when you have completed everything, your attorney will check your USCIS forms for accuracy, completeness, adherence to USCIS standards and procedures, and any possible ineligibility/inadmissibility grounds that might come up. Your attorney will tell you how best to address any problems with your petition that they observe, and then you will make the necessary and/or recommended changes. If you elected for the add-on service of having your attorney check your supporting documentation, they will also give you feedback on that. Once you have made the proper changes, you will print your petition, sign where indicated, and then send it off to USCIS in the pre-addressed and pre-paid envelope, we provide. From there, you’ll only have to make sure to respond to any ensuing correspondence or requests from USCIS, should there be any.

How our Legal Services Work page

Our online tool makes it so easy to complete your immigration paperwork

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FULL REPRESENTATION

Check your Eligibility, Register, Sign (or Schedule a Consultation First).

Begin by answering one of our online Eligibility Quizzes. If all goes well, our software will tentatively

assign you a case. You will then be able to register, create your profile, and request an individualized price quote for your case–all for free. We will get back to you with an individualized price quote shortly. You can then sign our electronic retainer at the quoted price (subject to certain reservations). Or, if you prefer, you can schedule and pay for a consultation, before signing. If you choose to make us your attorneys by signing right away; you will use our secure online system to make your first payment, and then you will still be prompted to schedule a consultation. To ethically and most effectively serve you, our Full Attorney Representation Service always begins with a consultation.

Have your Initial Consultation with your Attorney and let them get to work.

Your attorney will contact you as scheduled, for your consultation. They will verify your eligibility for

the case our software pre-selected, and make sure it is actually the best option for you. Your attorney will detail the steps for handling your specific immigration matter, and render you any necessary and pertinent legal advice. Addressing your questions, and requesting any documents and information that you’ll need you to provide (such as birth certificates), will also be priorities of the consultation. If you did not already retain Zontlaw formally, your attorney will send you a price quote (with the $150 dollar consultation fee deducted from the cost of your representation); after the consultation. You can then formally sign and retain us as your attorneys. After you make your first payment, your attorney will proceed to the next step. If you have already retained us, you’ll make your first payment if you haven’t already (the one after the $150 minimum), and your attorney will automatically proceed to the next step.

Your Attorney Compiles your Case, you Sign, and your Attorney Submits.

Your attorney prepares all necessary USCIS forms and any supporting materials in their power. If

there is supporting documentation that only you as the client have access to (ex: former employer letters), they will tell you exactly what you need to do and provide you with samples, so you can get the correct documentation. Once everything is ready, your attorney will compile your case into a professional legal petition, with a cover letter and a table of contents that will please USCIS and/or the other immigration authorities. They will check everything again, and send it to you to print and sign, via our secure online system. You will print and sign your completed case, and mail it to us in the envelope we provide. Your attorney will verify that you signed in the correct places, and they will send it off to the correct USCIS Dropbox, processing center, or other authority. It is possible that USCIS or other immigration authorities may request additional documentation/clarification regarding your petition. Your attorney will handle any such requests, communicating with you as required.

How our Legal Services Work page

Our online tool makes it so easy to complete your immigration paperwork

Start my Application

MORE FEATURES

100% Secure

We use most advanced security measures to protect your personal data and documents. We never release your information to anyone.

Where and what

Personalized Guidance and USCIS Fees and Instructions on where to file, free shipping label to USCIS

Up-to-date Forms

Our experienced immigration professionals check the website content daily to keep up with changes in laws or forms required.

Comprehensive forms

Answer a few simple questions and our innovative system will generate a complete form and ready to be presented

Error Checking

Our team of professionals will check all your answers to make sure that they are accurate, complete and ready to be submitted

Evidence Checklist

Once you assemble and upload all required documents, we will check if the evidence is correct and will provide a cover letter.

Frequently Asked Questions HOW OUR LEGAL SERVICES WORK

IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY JULIA GREENBERG

choose your attorney

With more than a decade in the field, Julia Greenberg has earned a reputation as a highly successful immigration attorney. Since 2006, she has represented countless corporate and individual clients in complex matters ranging from removal (deportation) to asylum, family, business and investor’s petitions, and employment-based cases.

Authorized to practice in immigrant courts throughout the United States, Ms. Greenberg may also appear before the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Northern, and Eastern districts of New York, and the New York Supreme Court. Ms. Greenberg takes pride in helping clients who have been unable to get satisfactory results elsewhere. Her honesty and compassion, combined with her expertise and vast knowledge of immigration law make her a formidable opponent in court – resulting in a long list of satisfied clients and positive referrals.

Outside of court, Ms. Greenberg often addresses Congress regarding relevant legislation. She also devotes her spare time to making presentations at local events, where she answers questions for New York’s immigrant community.Ms. Greenberg is a member of the New York City Bar Association, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), where she is a member in good standing in its New York Chapter. Ms. Greenberg is also fluent in Russian.

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